Posture-adjusting table



Jan. 12 ,1926. 11568368 D. D. EVINS POSTURE ADJUSTING TABLE Filed Nov28. 1924 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 J 7% Jaase B 132%? -Ja n. 12 1926.

1,568,968 D. D. EVINS ros'runa ADJUSTING TABLE F%d 28, 1924 4Sheets-Sheet 2 Jan. 12 1926.

D. D. EVINS rosmuma ADJUSTING TABLE Filed N 2.8. 1924 4 Sheets-Sheet 3Jan. 12,1926. 1,568,968

D. D. EVINS rosruas ADJUSTING TABLE Filed Nov. 28. 192-4 4 Sheets-Sheet4 Patented Jan. 12, 1926.

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m eliaamn filed-November 2331924. seriai no. 7523509.

To a'll whom' it may concern:

Be it' 'known that LijDo'ssa D. KEV-INS, a oitizen of the United,States, re'sidingg at Davenport, in the-county of Scott and State I of]Iowa, -iha ve invented a certain newand t-useful Improvement in a"Posture-Ad]usting Tableg'ofwhichthe following is a-speci ficfation.

My invention relates to' an operatingtable 1. or posture-adjusting tableand' has for one purpose the provision of -a posture-'ad]usting tablefor use in chiropractic-or osteopathy or any other methods of treatment'where pressure is applied to the back or "spine of the patient. Oneobject of my 1n- -ventinis to provide an adjusting table upon whichapatient can easily take a comfort able-initial position, and which maythen -be moved,-without effort byxor discom- 0 fort OfillG patient tothe final operatingpos Another purposeis to-provide a tableof the classdescribed'in' whichthe posture of thepatient may be altered or adjustedmechanically'without intervention of "the pa- 'tient.

Another purpose is the provisionof a table of the class described whichis usable with and adjustable to patients of different heights. Otherobjectswill appear in the course of the specifications and claims. '1illustrate my invention more or less diagrammatically in theaccompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of mydevice in the initial position.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same mechanism in operating position-Fig. 3 is a side-elevation of the same mechanism in an intermediateposition.

Fig. lis a side elevation of the same mechanism in the initial position.

"Fig. 5 is a detailed, longitudinal,sectional view.

Fig. 6 is aside elevation of amodifiedlor variant form of my device ii-which springs are used to provide the motive power, and

- Fig. 7 is a detail on an enlarged scale of the structure of Fig. 6.

Like parts are indicated by like symbols throughout the specificationsanddrawings A is the base frame workeomprising the opposite pairsofsupportingfeet A and A? portions C and supporting late {A gto whieh issecured ilihou'sing 'iri -"an 7 anysuitable-electric motor I lipwardl'y'exitending fromthe "frame A and above the 1egs ;'-A are the; supportingarms A.

Pivo'ted as at 'B to the tops of :the 1 arm A l is a supporting -fra'mecomprising \the side elements B, lower transversej 'eleinent "B andthej1ntermed ate -transverse element B "Pivoted toathe' arms A as'atfl;adjacent their j unction; with the frame'f'A, are the *links C "theouter-ends ofwhich are' pivoted as at C to the table -supportingelementsC the upper ends of which are pivoted to the side elements B.asat'C. 'Ihe "elements C are upwardly 'ai'id outwardly bent as at C andcontinuefas the-horizotal supporting Pivoted tothe tops of-athesideelements C as at D is a supporting yoke D the outer crating pad-ofthetable element E,---from the forwardend 'ofwhich depends thej' slot te dadjusting-leaf E pivo'ted at its inner end as at E and adapted to'hepenetrated,

along its outer slotted endyby the bolt E and to be engaged by the adju'sting 'n'utE screw-threaded there'about; which'cla'mps the slotted-leafE? against the opposed bearing lug D Pivoted to the opposite end of theelement E as at E are the adjusting leaves E slotted as at E and adaptedto engage the opposed flat surfaces of the'opposite end of the yoke D Eare boltsmou'nted on said yoke and penetrating the slots E and E are anysuitable "clamping neans. 'E a'rehand holds secured to the element E ateach side thereof.

The outward extensionsC? of the elements C form tracks upon whichfridethe table frame side elements G whichare joined by the transverseelement G t-and are provided with the wheel-supporting lugs G Gr onwhich are mounted the slotted "o-rfianged wheels G; G engaging the upperand lower edges of the extensions 0 The outer ends of the elements C are"joined by a 'yoke G secured for example by the bolts G and nuts G tothe outwardly projecting cars Rotatable in the ear on lug G in thecenter of said yoke G is the adjusting worm H which is in screw-threadedrelation with the lug H downwardly depending from the transverse elementG The opposite end of the worm I-I rotates in the bearing H as shown inFig. 5, and is provided with a bevel gear H in mesh with the bevel gearH on the rotating shaft H which rotates within the combined shield andbearing element H which in turn is bolted at each end to the element Cby means of the outwardly projecting arms H H". The opposite end of theshaft H terminates in a bevel gear H in mesh with the bevel gear Hcontrolled by the shaft H of the manual cranks H The housing A containsany suitable mechanism, the details of which form no part of the presentinvention, it being understood, however, that in response to pressureupon the foot pedal K the crank K in response to the action of the motorA or any other suitable motive power, will make a half revolution andstop at the end of such half revolution. Each crank K is pivoted at itsouter end as at K to a link K the opposite end of which is pivoted as atK to'the side of element B.

In Figs. 6 and 7 I illustrate a somewhat modified form of my devicewherein powerful springs L, as substitutes for the motor elsewhereshown, provide the motive power for lifting the table into elevatedposition.

Each spring L is secured at one end as at L to the frame A and is at itsopposite end secured to the extension L of the side element B, theextension L being made of sutlicient length to give suflicient leverageto permit the springs, when releaset to lift the table to raisedposition. In Fig. 7 I illustrate more or less diagrammatically atensional adjustment for the springs, comprising the eyelet If' to whichthe spring is secured, the pin L about which the eyelet may rotate, thescrew If and the knurled thumb piece L.

It will be realized that, while I have illustrated an operative device,obviously many changes may be made in the size, shape. number anddisposition and relation oi parts without departing from the spirit ofmy invention. Therefore, I wish my description and drawings to be takenas in a broad sense illustrative rather than as limiting me to thespecific mechanism herein described and shown.

The use and operation of my invention are as follows:

In giving therapeutic treatn'ients, such as in chiropractic andOsteopathy, wherein the patient is subjected to manual pressure ormanipulation along the spine, it becomes desirable to provide anadjusting table or couch which is as comfortable as possible for thepatient and as convenient as possible for the doctor, and which permitsolf ready adjustment to suit the size of the patient and to bring thebody of the patient into the posture best suited for the particulartreatment being given.

I provide an adjusting table having two body supporting portions,namely, a lower upholstered pad upon which the patient may kneel andwhich thus supports the lower portion of the body, and an upper pad tosupport the upper portion of the patients body. In order to reduce to aminimum the difficulty or discomfort attendant on positioning thepatient on the table, I employ a moving supporting mechanism for the twopads, which holds the pads in an initial position adapted for the easymounting of the patient upon the table and which can subsequently movethe two pads, and the patient upon them, to the proper adjusting oroperating position.

The lower of the two pads is oi. such height that the patient can easilykneel upon it. The upper pad, in its preliminary position, substantiallyhigher above the base than the lower pad and lies in a plane almost atright angles to the plane of the lower pad. I provide sideholds or handbars which the patient may grasp with his hands in order to steadyhimself for the downward trip of the mechanism. The patient then leansagainst the upper pad, resting his chest against it and turning his headsideways. At the instruction of the doctor he moves his hands along theside bars until his chest is properly positioned along the supportingpad, this adjustment being completed or corrected after the two padshave been moved into the operating position. The doctor then actuatesthe necessary mechanism. and the electric motor or other motive meansmoves the pivoted main supporting frame downwardly toward the base. Thismovement of the main support ing frame has the effect of moving the kneeengaging pad somewhat away from the base and into a lower positionwithout, however. tilting it from its relatively horizontal plane. Theupper pad on the contrary lllis and folds downwai-.'ll until it r achesa level substantially lower than its original level and lies in asubstantially horizontal plane as shown in Figure In order to Olltaincorrect posture the doctor can then instruct the patient to move hishands along the handholds, thus adjusting the position of his head andchest upon the upper pad. Also by turning one of the hand cranksprovided, the doctor can longitudinally move the knee supporting pad andthus adjust the position of the patient without cll'ort or dis l ll)lLiU means might be employed, and the mechani' cal motor means Inigwith.

Ielaimy 1. Infan adjusting table, a base, a main t even ,be dispensedsupporting memberpivoted thereto, a body,

supporting element pivoted atone point on said'm'ain supporting member,a second body supporting element pivoted at another point upon said mainsupporting member and means for. tilting and depressing said firstmentioned body sup orting element in .ref said main supporting sponsetorotation 0 member, and means, for maintaining said second bodysupportingelements in sub stantialliy horizontal position during thero.-

tationo said main supporting member.

2. In an adjusting table, a base, a supportingstructuremountedthereupon, a pair of body supporting elements mounted at differentlevels npon said supporting structure, means for moving said two bodysupporting elements in unison from a predetermined initial pgsitionadapted for easy access by the patient, to a" predetermined operatingposition, meansfor tilting the upper of. said body supporting elements,during said move: ment, from. an inclined position to, a relativelyhorizontal position, and means for maintaining the lower bodysupporting'ele ment in a substantially horizontalposition thronghout thetilting ,movement of said upperbody supporting element.

. 3. In an adjusting table, a base, a main supporting member pivotedthereto, a" body supporting element pivoted adjacent the top.

of said main supporting member, a body.

supporting element pivoted intermediate the ends of said-main supportingmember,and a linkconnection between said bodysupportingelements whereby.a rotation ot'said main supporting member rotates said body "supportingelements through arcs of different degree. 7

4t; In an adjusting table, a base, a main supporting member pivotedthereto at one end thereof, a body, supporting elementpivoted adjacentthe top ofsaidmain supporting member, and adapted to overlie saidsupporting member andtheend of: the base towhich it ispi'voted, a secondbodysup-f p rti ge eme t piv ted. o aid main sK1P-- portingmemberintermediate its ends and projecting outwardly and downwardly along thebase ata level, substantially below that.

of said first mentionedelement, a link con neotion between said two bodysupporting elements and a link connection between the lower of said bocly. supporting elements and thebase, whereby a rotation ofsaid mainsup.- portingmember rotates saidbody support.- ing elements through arcsof difl'erent degree.

5. In auadjustingtabIe, a base, a main supporting member pivoted theretoat. one end thereof, a body; supporting element piv- O fiflrafljaccntthe top. oisaid main supporting member, and. adaptedato overlie saidsupporting member and the s end ofthe base to; whichit is pivoted, .asecondbody supporting element. pivoted to .said main supporting member,intermediate its. ends and projecting: outwardly: and downwardly alongthe base at a level substantially below that of said-first mentionedelement, a link connection between said two body-.:supporting elementsand .a link connection between the lower. of said body supportingelements and the base, whereby a rotation of said main supporting memberrotates said body supporting elements through arcs of differentv degree,and body engaging pads. adjustab-ly mounted .on .eachof said body.supporting elements. i i

6. In an adjusting table, a base, a mainv supporting member pivotedthereto at one:

end thereof, a body supporting element pivoted adjacent the top of said.main supporting member, and adapted to overlie said supporting memberand the end of the. base to which it is pivoted, a second bodysupportingelement pivoted :to said main supporting member intermediateits ends and project ing outwardly and. downwardly along the base, at alevel substantially below that of said first mentioned element, a linkconnec-v tion between. said two body supporting elements and a linkconnection between the lower of said body supporting elements and thebase, whereby a .rotationofsaid main supporting memberv rotates saidbodysupporting elements through arcs of different degree, and body engaging.pads adjustably mounted on each of said bodysupporting elements one ofsaid pads being longitudinally adjustable upon the lower of said bodysupporting elements, and the. other being Vertically adjustableupon theupper of said bodysupporting.elements.

supporting element and means for. support ing it above said base, asecond: body supporting element and meanstor supporting it above saidbase at a substantially higher level, thansaid firstmentioned element inan .inclineclposition, andmeans for. simul-r taneou'slyx tilting saidelement. into a plane I. In an adjusting table, a base, a body.

approximating the horizontal and for moving it downwardly toward saidbase and body engaging pads mounted on each of said body supportingelements, the pad mounted upon the upper of said body supportingelements being vertically adjustable in relation thereto.

8. In an adjusting table, a base, a body supporting element, and meansfor supporting it above said base, a second body supporting element, andmeans for supporting it above said base at a substantially higher level,than said first mentioned element in an in lined position. and means forsimultaneou tilting said element into a plane approximating thehorizontal, and for moving it downwardly toward said base, body engagingpads mounted on each of said body supporting elements, and independentvertical adjusting means positioned at each end of the pad mounted uponthe upper of said sup 'iorting elements.

9. In an adjusting table, a base, a body supporting element and meansfor supporting it above said base, a second body supporting element andmeans for supporting it above said base at a substantially higher level,than said first mentioned element in an inclined position, and means forsimultaneously tilting said element into a plane approximating thehorizontal and for moving it downwardly toward said base, body engagingpads mounted upon said body supporting elements, and means forlongitudinally adjusting one of said pads along the lower of said bodysupporting elements.

10. In an adjusting table, a base, a body supporting element and meansfor support ing it above said base, a second body supporting element andmeans for supporting it above said base at a substantially higher level,than said first mentioned element in an inclined position, and means forsimultaneously tilting said element into a plane approximating thehorizontal and for moving it donwwardly toward said base, body engagingpads mounted upon said body supporting elements, and means forlongitudinally adjusting one of said pads along the lower of said bodysupporting elements comprising a worm longitudinally disposed along saidbody supporting element and in mesh with said pad, and means forrotating it.

111 In an adjusting table, a base, a supporting structure mountedthereupon, a pair of body supporting elements mounted at differentlevels upon said supporting structure, means for moving said two bodysup porting elements in unison from a predetermined initial positionadapted for easy access by the patient, to a predetermined operatingposition, means for tilting the up per of said body supporting elements,during said movement, from an inclined position to a relativelyhorizontal position, and means for niaintaining the lower bodysupporting element in substantially horizontal position throughout thetilting movement oi said upper body supporting element. and hand holdspositioned along the sides of said upper body supporting element.

12. In an adjusting table, a base, a supporting structure mountedthereupon, a pair of body supporting elements mounted at diii'erentlevels upon said supporting struc' ture means for moving said two bodysupporting elements in unison from a predetermined initial positionadapted for easy by the patient, to a iredetermined operating position,means tor tilting the upper ot' said body supporting elements, duringsaid movement, from an inclined position to a relatively horizontalposition, and means for maintaining the lower body supporting element ina substantially horizontal position throughout the tilting movement ofsaid upper body supporting element, and hand holds positioned along thesides of said upper body supporting element and means for longitudinallyadjusting said lower body supporting element while the patient ispositioned thereupon.

13. In an adjusting table, a base, a supporting structure mountedthereupon, a pair of body supporting elements mounted at differentlevels upon said supporting structure, means for moving said two bodysupporting elements in unison from a predetermined initial positionadapted for easy access by the patient, to a predetermined operatingposition, means for tilting the upper of said body supporting elements,during said movement, from an inclined position to a relativelyhorizontal position, and means for maintaining the lower body supportingelement in a substantially horizontal position throughout the tiltingmovement of said upper body supporting element, and means forlongitudinally adjusting said lower of said body supporting elementswhile the patient is positioned thereupon.

14:. In an adjusting table, a base, a supporting structure mountedthereupon, a pair of body supporting elements mounted at differentlevels upon said supporting structure, means for moving said two bodysupporting elements in unison from a predetermined initial positionadapted for easy access by the patient, to a predetermined operatingposition, means for tilting the upper of said body supporting elements,during said movement, from an inclined position to a relativelyhorizontal position, and means for maintaining the lower body supportingelement in a substantially horizontal position throughout the tiltingmovement of said upper body supporting element, and means forlongitudinally adjusting said lower of said body supporting Ill mentspivotally secured to said lever at diflerent points therealong andadapted at all positions of said lever, to be positioned atsubstantially different heights above the base.

16. In an adjusting table, a supporting base, a main supporting leverpivoted thereto and means for rotating said lever about its pivot, and apair ofbody supporting elements pivotally secured to said lever atdifferent points therealong and adapted at all positions of said leverto be positioned at substantially different heights above the base, andbody engaging pads, mounted on said elements, and adjustable in relationthereto.

17. In an adjusting table, a supporting base, a main supporting leverpivoted thereon and means for rotating it, a body supporting memberpivoted adjacent the outer end of said lever, a second body supportingmember pivoted intermediate the ends of said lever, said first mentionedbody supporting member being positioned substantially higher above thebase than the second member, at all positions of said main sup portinglever.

18. In an adjusting table, a supporting base, a main supporting leverpivoted thereon and means for rotating it, a body supporting memberpivoted adjacent the outer end'of said lever, a second body supportingmember pivoted intermediate the ends of said lever, said first mentionedbody supporting member being positioned substantially higher above thebase than the second member, at all positions of said main supportinglever, and means for rotating said first mentioned member in reponse torotation of said supporting lever.

19. In an adjusting table, a supporting base, a main supporting leverpivoted thereon and means for rotating it, a body supporting memberpivoted adjacent the outer end of said lever, a second body supportingmember pivoted intermediate the ends of said lever, said .firstmentioned body supporting member being positioned substantially higherabove the base than the second member, at all positions of said mainsupporting lever, and means for rotating said first mentioned member inreponse to rotation of said supporting lever, whereby said member issupported in inclined position when said lever is at the upper limit ofits excursion and in substantially horizontal position when the lever isat the lower limit of its excursion.

20. In an adjusting table, a supporting base, a main supporting leverpivoted thereon and means for rotating it, a plurality of bodysupporting members rotatably mounted on said lever and means forrotating said body supporting members in response to rotation of saidlever through arcs of sub stantially different degree.

21. In an adjusting table, a supporting base, a main supporting leverpivoted thereon and means for rotating it, a body supporting memberpivoted adjacent the outer end of said lever, a second body supportingmember pivoted intermediate the ends of said' lever, said firstmentioned body supporting member being positioned substantially higherabove the base than the second member, at all positions of said mainsupporting lever, and means for simultaneously rotating and depressingsaid first mentioned member in reponse to rotation of said supportinglever.

Signed at Davenport county of Scott and State of Iowa, this 25th day ofNovember DOSSA DIXON EVINS.

